On an uncharacteristically cold, rainy San Diego morning, the newly refurbished courts at Montgomery-Waller Community Park lit up the day with a vibrant, joyful celebration.
On Friday, October 23rd, San Diego FC officially dedicated its fifth refurbished play space since launching in 2025. In partnership with Qualcomm Technologies Inc., the San Diego Parks Foundation and the City of San Diego Parks & Recreation Department, San Diego FC hosted the grand reopening of the multi-use sports courts less than a month after dedicating an enhanced soccer arena at the YMCA Escondido Campus.
“San Diego FC isn't just about building or refurbishing spaces,” said SDFC VP of Community Impact Joel Katz. “We're intentional about activating spaces and will be back to do community service, to run clinics, to run programs. You'll see our community coaches here. Our players will be present. So, this is the beginning of our relationship with Montgomery-Waller, and we're excited to play and continue to serve alongside you all.”
Residents of the Otay Mesa community connected with SDFC leadership and San Diego partners for a morning of celebration, recognition, and play. Sarah Erazo, Deputy Director of the City of San Diego Parks & Recreation Department, addressed the crowd to share the hope for this space’s future in the community.
“Montgomery Waller Recreation Center is more than just a park or a recreation facility. It's a place where children come to play, where families gather, and friendships are formed, and lasting memories are made. Our recreation centers play an important role in helping young people develop confidence, teamwork, and skills that extend far beyond the playing field,” Erazo said. “Investments like this create opportunities for our young people to stay active, discover new interests, and develop important life skills. Whether they're playing futsal or simply spending time with friends, this court will provide a place for our community to come together through recreation.”
Parks and Recreation Director for the City of San Diego, Andy Field, was also present for the Club’s second sports court opening. While watching the youth enjoy the colorful play area, he reflected on the importance of these types of opportunities to create a lasting impact.
“This is the reason we do what we do: we want kids to play,” Field said. “We want to get them into a positive place where they can enjoy one another, learn some of the basic principles of teamwork, and how to figure out problems together in a collaborative and constructive way. Sports are amazing for being able to confer those sorts of characteristics to our young people, and these sorts of sports courts are an ideal way for our young people to gather and to find ways to collaborate and have fun.”
SDFC’s Parks & Pitches initiative focuses on developing courts and fields in public parks, turning them into vibrant play spaces where the community can enjoy the beautiful game. With intentionality, SDFC co-creates each space alongside community members, local artists, and the youth who will carry these spaces into their futures. And then, SDFC commits to activating the spaces.
“This means a lot to the community. The young youth here will grow up here and see how beautiful the park has been made to look. It tells you that you are important to us and that we want you to come here with your families,” said Dotty Giffen, President of the Otay Mesa Community Recreation Group.
SDFC works with local artists through the Club’s Playmakers program to enhance these spaces and tell meaningful stories through artwork that brings them to life. Local muralist Josue Baltezar designed this space with bright colors and symbolism to inspire the area's youth.
He used the theme of blooming to symbolize a flourishing community, Mexican art features to celebrate the region's diversity, wing elements to pay homage to Montgomery-Waller’s rich flight history, and the words "Woven Into One" to capture the unity and connection of the community space.
“It's such an honor to get to create the design in collaboration with the community, with different folks involved. But the best part is like the kids here playing on it, the community here being part of it,” Baltezar said. “This is a neighborhood here in San Diego that has a lot of immigrant communities. And, you know, like, there's a resiliency, there's a joy that comes with being an immigrant here, especially in times like this. And so, to see these kids having a good time, feeling that, like, feeling of growth that comes with this park, I think is really special.”
The courts will be open to the public to use seven days a week. They will provide many opportunities to serve all ages of the community through youth sports organizations and programming. Juan Carlos Hernandez, Chairman of the Board for San Diego Parks Foundation, couldn't help but smile as he watched the students from Pence Elementary School disregard the rain and play freely in the space after the ceremonial first goal.
“It really creates that sense of community, especially for the kids as they're growing up. They're going to remember this for the rest of their lives. And not only that, but many of them are actually going to just continue to stay,” Hernandez said. “And they're going to tell their kids. And hopefully between now and then, we're going to be able to continue the investment and keep this park beautiful.”
Sports can create lasting memories and a sense of attachment to the places and people that make those opportunities to play and grow possible. Emerging Talent Scout for San Diego FC, Gabriel Farfan, remembers the Montgomery-Waller Community Park well from his youth. It’s where his football career began, and he shared how a space like this can help shape a child’s future.
“I think out of all the activations, this has been the most special. I consider this my home field. My first actual team that I played for was here,” Farfan said. “It's such a nostalgic feeling being here, just remembering simple things, kind of just like the hills and playing on an uneven field. And now, obviously, seeing these beautiful pitches, I think it's cool. It's amazing just for kids, the next generation, to dream big, to also feel worthiness of playing on a beautiful pitch and knowing that people are investing in them, in their communities.”
